Advancing Associations

CPG & Balance Golf Team Up to Personalise Player Development

10th Jul 2025

Golf Icon Suzann Pettersen Named Global Ambassador for Sotogrande’s New Golf Academy

3rd Jul 2025

Turn Wellbeing into a Winning Strategy for Your Coaching Practice

13th Jun 2025

Golf Genius Announces Launch of CoachNow Academy

12th Jun 2025

Bushnell Golf Europe Unveils New Website for Tour-Trusted Tech

9th Jun 2025

Mental Toughness x CPG: Supporting Mental Skills & Business Opportunities

29th May 2025

Yas Links Golf Academy Unveils State-of-the-Art Facilities in Major Performance Upgrade

22nd May 2025

New UK Research Reveals Alarming Gaps in Sun Safety and Protection for Children

14th May 2025

CPG Apprentice Programme Off and Running With PGA of Serbia

6th May 2025

Poland’s GolfSixes League Gathers Pace for 2025

15th Apr 2025

Benefits of Golf for Health shared at International Congress

4th Apr 2025

PilsnerGolf Resort Hořehledy Secures GolfSixes League International Simulator Championship Triumph

3rd Apr 2025

3rd International Congress on Golf and Health Returns to Scotland: focus on the Health Benefits of Golf, and Promoting Mental Health & Wellness in Golf in 2025

28th Mar 2025

Achilles V. Constantakopoulos, Chairman of Temes – Developers of Costa Navarino, Receives Special Recognition Award

14th Mar 2025

Czech Legend, Petr Nitra, Joins Elite 5-Star Pro Group

12th Mar 2025

Golf & Health Project Acknowledged For Leading the Way in Sharing the Sport’s Health Benefits

10th Mar 2025

The Coaches’ Coach, Hugh Marr, Wins John Jacobs Award

6th Mar 2025

Rickman Rules With Christer Lindberg Bowl Award

5th Mar 2025

CPG Welcomes Turtleson To The Family: The Ultimate Fusion Of Golf Performance And Lifestyle Apparel

3rd Mar 2025

CPG Partners With Sweetspot, Bringing Data-Driven Power to Golf Academies

28th Feb 2025
load more

John Clark to Step Down as Ping Europe Managing Director after 24 years at the Helm3 min read


Posted on: 27th Nov 2020

Long-serving PING Europe Managing Director, John Clark, will step down from his role at the end of this year, with current General Manager, Lisa Lovatt, taking up the position.

Lovatt, 51, will begin her new role on 1st January, with full responsibility for all of Ping Europe’s operations in Gainsborough, Cheadle and the four PING offices in Europe. She will report directly to PING Chairman and CEO, John Solheim.

Clark, 64, who has worked at Ping Europe for 26 years – 24 of these as Managing Director – will retain some small responsibilities at the company on a part-time basis and will also continue as a board member of both Ping Europe and Ping in the USA.

“This management transition isn’t a sudden decision, in fact, it is something we have been working towards for the last two or three years,” commented Clark. “The appointment of Lisa as General Manager in 2018 was the first step, and her success in that role means she is ready to lead this new phase of our future.”

Lovatt joined Ping Europe in 1994 to lead the company’s apparel and soft goods division. She transitioned into operations and was responsible for developing operational support services over a long period of sustained expansion. This included responsibility for purchasing, customer services, production, warehousing and shipping, and her success in this multi-faceted role led to her being appointed General Manager in early 2018.

“I am delighted to be taking up this new role and look forward to building on the incredible work that John and the team have carried out over the 24 years of his tenure,” said Lovatt. “I’ve been working for Ping Europe for over 26 years and I’m excited about driving the company forward in 2021 and beyond.

“I’d like to thank John sincerely, on behalf of everyone at Ping Europe, for the tireless service that he has given to the company over the years, and hope he enjoys the extra time that he will now have available to spend with his family and friends.”

Speaking about his reasons for stepping down, Clark added: “The reason for my retirement is family. I have always been a workaholic and have woken every morning loving going to work. The challenge of being a significant part of a successful company has served as my motivation all through my working career.

“However, far too often, this has been at the expense of family commitment from me and I now want to devote more time to my wife, two sons, three amazing grandsons and a granddaughter who is due early next year.”

Adding his thanks to PING founders, the Solheim family, Clark continued: “Their principles, caring for people and long-term thinking, run right through every PING business. It is a culture I have been well suited to and I owe them more than I could ever put into words.

“I am handing over to Lisa with a feeling of immense pride and satisfaction in what we have achieved since I joined way back in 1994. This year has been incredibly challenging, but golf has bounced back strongly. We have great product coming next year, so the stage is set for Lisa and her team to have a fantastic year in 2021.”

VISIT PING GOLF

Leave a Reply